Weather News

Farmers in drought at Walgett - farms cracking up

Walgett farmers, in the NSW north west, have sown less than 20% of their normal crop due to continuing dry conditions.
- ABC

Although winter rains in June and early July have relieved pressure for many farming areas, growers at Walgett in north-west NSW say they're having an appalling season.

Grain trader Peter Burke says there has been no break in the season and only about 20% of the normal crop has been sown this winter, and many of those crops in the ground are desperately short of moisture.

Farmers at Walgett and Lightning Ridge are accustomed to dealing with the vagaries of the weather, according to Mr Burke, as the farming land is in a low rainfall area.

However he says the poor season will have its impact on local farmers.

"The impact is not as severe on long-term farmers who are well-established.

"But those growers who are expanding their operations, if they're buying more land?